Ocean Downs hosted two $10,000 splits each for Maryland Sire Stakes for freshman harness racing trotting fillies and pacing colts and geldings on Wednesday August 17th.
The trotting fillies went to post as races 1 and 3 with Goolishness (Googoo Gaagaa) getting the perfect pocket trip to take the first in 2:02.4 last quarter in 29.4 over Goo Luck Charm (Googoo Gaagaa). Trae Porter was in the bike for trainer Roger Hans and owner-breeder Thomas Cooke.
Jonathan Roberts sent Call Me Goo (Googoo Gaagaa) gate to wire in the second split for the trotting fillies, striding away from the field in the stretch. Whitesville Pride (Doggone Yankee) took the place spot. Call Me Goo is owned by Graham Grace Stable, trained by Jason Skinner and bred by Willam Bib Roberts.
The two divisions for the freshman pacing colts and geldings went to post as races 9 and 10. Smooth Rocket (Cam’s Rocket) with Russell Foster between the wheels charged down the stretch to overtake the front running Center Of It All (Rusty’s All In) stopping the clock in 1:59. Megan Foster trains the winner for Russell Foster Racing LLC and Brian Emerson was the breeder.
Reinsman John Wagner was not content with the three hole and sent Nicki’s All In (Rusty’s All In) to the front by the half. The pair held off a late charge down the stretch by Rocket’s Final Act (Cam’s Rocket) winning by a neck in 1:59.4. Nicki’s All In is co-owned and bred by Pam Wagner and Scott Woogen. John Wagner is also the trainer.
In other action two split for leg #2 of ‘The Marlin 2’ claiming series were won by Bush Man N and Rock Idol.
Driver Russell Foster picked up four straight trips to the winner’s circle in races 6, 7, 8 and 9.
by Cheri Stambaugh, for the Maryland Standardbred Fund